To evaluate the ultrastructural changes and the mechanism causing liver injury by lead, light and electron microscopic(LM and EM) examination using Timm sulphide silver method(TSM) was done. Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a control and 3 experimental groups. The experimental groups were orally administered 0.5% lead acetate(LA). Group 1 received a one time dose of 10 ml of LA by gastric intubation. Groups 2 and 3 continuously received LA instead of drinking water. The control group was composed of 3 rats in each group which did not receive any treatment. Rats of group 1, 2 and 3 and control were sacrificed at 1/2, 1, 1 1/2 hours, 2 days, and at 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks later, except group 3. Before sacrifice, they were perfused with 0.1% sodium sulphide and 2.5% glutaraldehyde through the abdominal aorta for TSM. The liver was taken for LM and EM examinations. Blood lead concentration began to increase from the 2nd day up to 3.29 microgram/ml at 2nd week, and the urinary delta-ALA level showed a steady increase from the 2nd day. LM and EM examination of liver revealed that absorbed lead granules in group 1 were transported into sinusoidal spaces, Kupffer cells, and the hepatocytes within 1 hour and then disappeared 1/2 hour thereafter. In group 2 deposited lead was found in the hepatocytic cytosol bound to mitochondria. That in turn inhibited mitochondrial respiration with resultant mitochondrial swelling at the 1st week and thereafter at 6th week myelin figure formation and condensation of mitochondria, and peroxisomes were increased at 8th week. Based on these results it can be concluded that a transient intake of subletal dose of LA is biotransformed completely by periportal hepatocytes within 1 1/2 hours, but excessively accumulated lead can induce liver cell injury due to lipid peroxidation of membrane by direct toxic effect of lead and by products of lipid peroxidation. We postulate that lead acetate triggers presumably primarily mitochondrial membrane injury and then other organellar changes may play a role in disturbance of a network of interacting of key events capable of causing cell death.
Rats ; Animals

Improvements in therapy have resulted in increasing numbers of children being successfully treated for cancer. However the aggressiveness of therapy & uncertainty about prognosis are associated with many adverse effects, psychological as well as physical for both the child & family. The purpose of this study were to measure the degree of perceived uncertainty, self-efficacy & coping, and then to examine the relationship between the perceived uncertainty, self-efficacy & coping in parents of children cancer patients. The subjects of this study consist of 140 parents with pediatric cancer, registered at pediatric cancer ward & Out Patient Department. Data was collected from July 1st to August 15th 1998. The tools used in this study were Mishel's the Parents' Perception of Uncertainty Scale(28item, 4 likert scale), Shere's Self-Efficacy Scale)17item, 5 likert scale) & Folkman & Lazarus Ways of Coping Checklist)34 items, 4 likert scale). Data was analyzed by t-test, Anova, Pearson Correlation co-efficient. Results of this study are summarized as follows : 1. Parents perceived their uncertainty to be slightly high(Mn 2.41). The degree of perceived uncertainty by the four components were followed as : lack of clarity(2.60), unpredictability(2.59), ambiguity(2.51) & lack of information(1.90). The degree of perceived uncertainty of parents with pediatric cancer revealed to be influenced significantly by the family outcome, reliability about health care provider & perceived severity of illness. 2. The range of parents' self-efficacy was measured from 35 to 85 point, so revealed slightly high. The degree of self-efficacy related to be influenced significantly by the sequency of child birth, family religion & degree of perceived support. 3. The degree of parents' coping was measured slightly high(Mn 2.78). The degree of coping related to be influenced significantly by the sequency of child birth, number of sible & degree of perceived support. 4. parents' uncertainty was related inversely to the parents' self-efficacy(r=-.38, p<.001) & coping(r=-.26, p<.001). And also parents' self-efficacy was positively related to coping(r=.56, p<.001). From the above results, it can be concluded that predicting & controlling parents' uncertainty with children cancer are necessary to improve positive coping strategies. This information may be used as a foundation for developing nursing interventions to decrease perceived uncertainty & to foster self-efficacy & coping for parents with children cancer.
Child* ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Nursing ; Parents ; Parturition ; Prognosis ; Uncertainty* ; Child Health

PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of subjective memory complaints, depression and cognitive function on performance of activities of daily living (ADL) in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: A total sample consisted of 250 MCI patients diagnosed within one year. All participants were assessed with a battery of standardized neuropsychological tests, self-report measures of subjective memory complaints and depression, and performance of basic and instrumental ADL. Correlational and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to identify the factors associated with performance of basic and instrumental ADL, respectively. RESULTS: Executive function and depression explained 9.4% of the variance in basic ADL. Reduced executive function and greater depressed mood were associated with worse performance on basic ADL. Executive function, subjective memory complaints, and time since onset of cognitive symptoms accounted for 22.2% of the variance in instrumental ADL in individuals with MCI. Lower executive function (t=−2.02, p=.044), greater memory complaints (t=5.36, p<.001), and longer periods of experiencing cognitive symptoms (t=2.24, p=.026) were associated with worse instrumental ADL performance. CONCLUSION: These results may help healthcare professionals develop interventions to improve cognitive outcomes with better understanding of the relationship among cognition, mood, and behavioral performance in individuals with MCI.
Activities of Daily Living ; Cognition ; Delivery of Health Care ; Depression ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Memory Disorders ; Memory ; Mild Cognitive Impairment ; Neurobehavioral Manifestations ; Neuropsychological Tests

OBJECTIVES: To study the distributions of pH and gas values in umbilical arterial(UA) blood of normal newborns following uncomplicated pregnancies and vaginal births. Methods: In 457 consecutive normal term infants who were born between March 1995 and June 1998, we examined the UA pH and blood gas values obtained immediately following delivery. Maternal inclusion criteria were defined as an uncomplicated singleton pregnancy and a normal full term spontaneous vaginal delivery. And also neonatal inclusion criteria were defined as a normal intrauterine growth appropriate for gestational age without any malformations and Apgar score of 7 or more at both one and five minutes after birth. Umbilical artery blood samples were collected at each birth and were evaluated for pH, carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2), oxygen pressure (PaO2) and actual bicarbonate. RESULTS: Histogram of UA pH value resemble normal distribution curve. The lowest UA pH was 7.04 and the 10th percentile value was 7.23. The median UA pH was 7.31 and 5% was below 7.20. The lowest UA PaO2 was 4.6mmHg and the 10th percentile value was 11.5mmHg. The highest UA PaCO2 was 67.2mmHg and the 90th percentile value was 56.5mmHg. The lowest bicarbonate value was 13.2mmol/L and the 10th percentile value was 18.4mmol/L. CONCLUSION: The distributions of the UA pH and gas values of the collective of normal newborns were illustrated. None of the UA pH was below 7.0.
Apgar Score ; Blood Gas Analysis* ; Carbon Dioxide ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Oxygen ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Umbilical Arteries*

Invasive infection of the Streptococcus bovis group in a neonate is rare. In cases reported to date, the pathogen of neonatal S. bovis infections is usually Streptococcus gallolyticus subsp. pasteurianus (S. bovis biotype II/2). Streptococcus lutetiensis (S. bovis biotype II/1) was identified using 16S rRNA and tuf gene sequence analysis of the isolates from blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of a fever-presenting 28-day-old male. Blood culture analysis was performed using automatic equipment (VITEK 2) and identified Streptococcus infantarius supsp. infantarius, yet we were unable to get accurate results from the CSF culture. The fever subsided on the second day of hospitalization, and the patient was discharged without neurologic complication after 14 days of antibiotic therapy. In this case, we were able to accurately identify the pathogen using molecular genetic methods. To our knowledge, this is the first case of late onset neonatal bacteremia and meningitis caused by S. lutetiensis.
Bacteremia* ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Fever ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Meningitis* ; Molecular Biology ; Sequence Analysis ; Streptococcus bovis ; Streptococcus*

When bronchogenic carcinoma is coexisting with pulmonary tuberculosis, it is difficult to differentiate bronchogenic carcinoma from pulmonary tuberculosis radiologically. Thus, the object of this study is to define differential diagnosis of bronchogenic carcinoma by computed tomography. We analized CT scans of 27 patients with radiologic findings of pulmonary tuberculosis and mass of which twelve cases were pulmonary tuberculosis and fifteen cases were primary lung cancer. The location of parenchymal infiltration and the mass was the same in 60%(9/15) of the primary lung cancer in cases and 83%(10/12) of the pulmonary tuberculosis cases. The common location of the mass was the both upper lobes in 92%(11/12) of the pulmonary tuberculosis cases and 53%(8/15) of the primary lung cancer cases. The common locations of the mediastinal lymphadenopathy were 4R, 2R of the pulmonary tuberculosis cases and 4R, 10R of the primary lung cancer cases. In the feature of post enhanced lymph nodes, homogenous increased density was more frequent in primary lung cancer. Measurements of the maximum thickness part of the cavity wall was not a reliable indication of malignancy.
Carcinoma, Bronchogenic ; Diagnosis* ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung* ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*

The purposes of this study were to measure the degree of perceived uncertainty, social support & powerlessness, to examine the relationship between the perceived uncertainty, social support & powerlessness and then to find the predictors of powerlessness in mother's of handicapped children. The subjects of this study consist of 102 mothers of handicapped children, registered at rehabilitation & handicapped children school. Data was collected from September 1998 to March 1999. The tools used in this study were Mishel's the Parents' Perception of Uncertainty Scale (28 item, 4 likert scale), Miller's Powerlessness measurement Scale(28 item, 4 likert scale) & Cohen's Interpersonal Support Evaluation List(40 items, 4 liken scale). Data was analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Duncan comparison, Pearson Correlation coefficient & Stepwise multiple regression Results of this study are summarized as follows : 1. Mothers perceived their uncertainty to be slightly high(Mn 2.50). The degree of perceived uncertainty by the four components were followed as lack of clarity(2.69), unpredictability(2.56), ambiguity(2.56) & lack of information(2.46). The degree of perceived uncertainty of the mothers of handicapped children revealed to be influenced significantly by age of children, admission experience, disability types of children. 2. The degree of mothers' powerlessness was measured to be slightly high(Mn 2.14). The degree of perceived powerlessness of the mothers with handcapped children revealed to be influenced significantly by age of children, duration of illness admission experience, & marital status of the mothers. 3. Mothers perceived their social support to be slightly high(Mn 2.71). The degree of perceived social support revealed to be influenced significantly by sex of children, married state of mothers. 4. Mothers' uncertainty was related positively to the mothers' powerlessness(r=.33, p=.0008). And also mothers' powerlessness was related inversely to social support(r=-.50, p=.0001). But, mothers' uncertainty was not related to social support significantly. 5. To analyze the variables which affect powerlessness, stepwise regression was implemented. As a result, about 61% of the powerlessness were explained by social support, marital status of the mothers and perceived uncertainty. Based upon these results, it is recommended that the nurses, who are caring handicapped children and their families, provide various support programs for them to overcome their difficulties. Also programs which decrease the uncertainty & powerlessness used social support multidimensionally & individually are recommended to be developed.
Child ; Disabled Children* ; Disabled Persons* ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Mothers* ; Rehabilitation ; Uncertainty* ; Child Health

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to discover kidney transplant and hemodialysis patients' quality of life(QOL) and provide basic data to improve their QOL. METHOD: One hundred two hemodialysis patients and 106 kidney transplant patients were given a self-administered questionnaire from Mar. 6 to Mar. 31, 2006. The instrument consisted of demographic variables, therapeutic-related characteristics and QOL. Collected data was processed using the SPSS 12.0 statistical program for real numbers, percentages, ANCOVA, t-test, ANOVA, Stepwise multiple regression and the Scheffe test. RESULTS: Kidney transplantpatients' QOL was higher than hemodialysis patients. The demographic variables which showed a significant difference in overall QOL were religion, children and monthly income for kidney transplantpatients and educational background for hemodialysis patients. The therapeutic-related variable which showed a significant difference in overall QOL was the patients' perceived health condition for both groups. The influencing factor on overall QOL for both groups was the health condition perceived by themselves. The total variance of the variable for QOL was 42% for kidney transplant patients and 19% for hemodialysis patients. CONCLUSION: This study revealed that kidney transplant patients have a higher QOL and how patients perceive their health is the strongest influencing factor for QOL. However, there is a large difference between the demand and supply of kidney donors. To solve this problem the standards for donation should be reviewed and revised.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Demography ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation/nursing/*psychology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; *Quality of Life ; Questionnaires ; Renal Dialysis/nursing/*psychology ; Tissue Donors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a cognitive training program on neurocognitive task performance and activities of daily living (ADL) in patients who had a stroke. METHODS: The research design for this study was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized design. Patients were assigned to the experimental (n=21) or control group (n=21). The experimental group received a 4-week cognitive training program and usual care (i.e., rehabilitation service), while the control was received usual care only. Cognitive function was measured with a standardized neurocognitive test battery and ADL was assessed at baseline and one and two months after completion of the intervention. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to determine changes in cognitive function and ADL over 2 months. RESULTS: The interaction of group and time was significant indicating that the experimental group showed improvement in attention, visuospatial function, verbal memory, and executive function compared to the control group which had a sustained or gradual decrease in test performance. A significant group by time interaction in instrumental ADL was also found between the experimental group with gradual improvement and the control group showing no noticeable change. CONCLUSION: Findings show that the cognitive training program developed in this study is beneficial in restoring cognitive function and improving ADL in patients following a stroke. Further study is needed to investigate the long-term relationship between cognitive training participation and cognitive improvement and effective functioning in daily living.
Activities of Daily Living* ; Cognition* ; Cognitive Therapy ; Education* ; Executive Function ; Humans ; Memory ; Rehabilitation ; Research Design ; Stroke* ; Task Performance and Analysis

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify and explain the essences and structures of maternal conflicts in Vietnamese married immigrant women in Korea. METHODS: A phenomenological methodology was used for the study. Eleven Vietnamese married immigrant women participated in the study. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi's method. RESULTS: Four categories, 10 clusters and 26 themes emerged from the data for the experience in maternal conflicts of Vietnamese married immigrant women. The four categories were 'An unprepared young motherhood in another culture', 'Feeling left out of the mother's place along the bands of Nap tai tradition', 'My image is like not-being able to stand alone/be independent' and 'Finding hope in motherhood despite of conflicts and stigmas'. CONCLUSION: Vietnamese married immigrant women experienced not only the negative aspects but also sublimation of maternal conflicts. Based on the results, health professionals need to develop effective nursing interventions toward a positive maternal identity and approach with interculturalism for the Vietnamese married immigrant women in Korea.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Adult ; Communication Barriers ; Emigrants and Immigrants/*psychology ; Family/psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Marriage ; Maternal Behavior/*psychology ; Pregnancy ; Quality of Life ; Questionnaires ; Republic of Korea ; Vietnam